Balance a top priority for offense-strong Westerners

But Westerners coach Joe Loudermilk is concerned that his team will give opponents too many chances to see just how well the offenses compare.

Whether or not LHS can find a balance could determine if the Westerners are able to recapture the magic of last season's 5-5 record the first non-losing campaign at Lubbock High since 1989.

The Westerners should have few problems piling up yards or points this year with a veteran offense that includes five key returning starters, including 1998 All-City performers in quarterback Matt Porras and flanker Chamayne Johnson.

Lubbock High Westerners

Porras was the leading passer on the South Plains a year ago, hitting 87 passes in 176 attempts for 1,199 yards and 10 touchdowns. Johnson was among the top receiving threats with 24 receptions for 555 yards including a five-catch, three-touchdown, 106-yard night in a 29-14 victory over Monterey.

Adrian Gutierrez will step into a split end spot to give LHS a formidable one-two receiving punch.

"We have a lot of confidence in our passing game because Charmayne and I know each other so well," Porras said. "We know we have to be able to move the ball through the air again."

While the passing game wasn't a problem last season, LHS struggled mightily to establish a running game, particularly in District 3-5A play. The Westerners finished the season averaging only 121.7 yards a game, compared to 154.1 yards a contest through the air. To make matters worse, LHS will start the season without an experienced running back.

"We have to find a combination of kids who can run the ball and give us some tough yardage," Loudermilk said. "We've got to be able to run the ball better than we did at the end of last year."

The leading candidates for the open tailback spot are Twanz Frazier, David Garcia and Damion Draper. Junior Michael Perez, the lone returning starter on defense, is penciled in as the starting fullback, with 245-pound Maurice Pratt as a potential backup.

LHS will have a trio of battle-tested veterans on the offensive line: senior guard Matt Peters, senior tackle William Dodge and center Eric Villarreal.

"The offense is pretty much up to speed, especially those guys on the line," Loudermilk said. "We're in pretty good hands up there."

While the offense is in the hands of a veteran crew, the main concern for the Westerners is fielding a defense that can somehow find a way to keep foes from matching LHS point for point.

"We don't have hardly anybody back on defense who knows 'Come here' from 'Sic 'em,' " Loudermilk said with a chuckle. "We're working real hard to find some kiddos who can step in and play good, solid defense."

Perez is back to resume his role at outside linebacker after coming on strong toward the end of last year. Garcia, Draper and Lance Martin are the other likely starters at linebacker. Randy White, Pat Castro and Cole Crawford are also battling for time.

On the defensive line, Dodge will add defensive end duties to his starting guard responsibilities. He'll be joined by Ty Tipton, David House and Jordan Bass, with Villarreal, Elasar Andrade, Jerome Jackson and David Hargis also seeing time.

Johnson will anchor the secondary at one cornerback spot, with Gutierrez at the other. Fraser is the leading candidate to start at free safety, with David Caldwell and Julius Williams backing up.

"We've got a lot of guys back on defense who didn't get a chance to play last year and they're really ready now," Perez said. "I think we can be pretty good because we have some quick linebackers and fast defensive backs. It's just a matter of getting some experience."

Outlook

With five key returning offensive starters, the Westerners should be able to hang up some points. A tell-tale sign will be if a green defense can gain some experience quickly enough to help the veteran offense.